Tennessee had four players named first-team preseason All-SEC by league coaches, the conference announced Monday.
Running back Arian Foster and offensive lineman Anthony Parker were named to the first-team offense, while linebacker Rico McCoy and safety Eric Berry were named to the first-team defense.
All told, the Vols had seven players named to list.
Offensive tackle Ramon Foster was a second-team selection, while wide receiver Lucas Taylor was a third-team choice. Center Josh McNeil was also a third-team selection.
No specialists were selected, and McCoy and Berry were the only defensive players on the list.
Florida led all teams with five first-team selections, followed by LSU and Tennessee, both with four.
Overall, Florida had the most selections with 10, followed by Georgia (nine), Alabama (eight), Auburn (eight), South Carolina (eight), Tennessee (seven), Kentucky (five), Ole Miss (four), Mississippi State (four), Arkansas (three), Vanderbilt (two).
Six players were unanimous selections: Alabama’s Andre Smith, Arkansas’ Jonathan Luigs, Ole Miss’ Michael Oher, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno, Ole Miss’ Greg Hardy, Florida’s Brandon Spikes and Tennessee’s Parker.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players. The media’s preseason All-SEC team will be announced during SEC media days this week in Birmingham, Ala.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
ALL-SEC OFFENSE
* Unanimous selection; # ties
FIRST-TEAM
TE Cornelius Ingram Florida
OL *Andre Smith Alabama
OL *Michael Oher Ole Miss
OL *Anthony Parker Tennessee
OL Herman Johnson LSU
C *Jonathan Luigs Arkansas
WR Percy Harvin Florida
WR Kenny McKinley So. Carolina
QB Tim Tebow Florida
RB *Knowshon Moreno Georgia
RB Arian Foster Tennessee
SECOND TEAM
TE Richard Dickson LSU
OL Ciron Black LSU
OL Tryonne Green Auburn
OL #Ramon Foster Tennessee
OL #Lee Ziemba Tennessee
OL #Mitch Petrus Arkansas
OL #Garry Williams Kentucky
C #Antoine Caldwell Alabama
WR Demetrius Byrd LSU
WR Mohamed Massaquoi Georgia
QB Matthew Stafford Georgia
RB Anthony Dixon Mississippi State
RB Ben Tate Auburn
THIRD-TEAM ALL-SEC -- OFFENSE
TE Jared Cook South Carolina
OL Phil Trautwein Florida
OL Jim Tartt Florida
OL John Jerry Ole Miss
OL Anthony Strauder Mississippi State
C Josh McNeil Tennessee
WR Lucas Taylor Tennessee
WR Brandon LaFell LSU
QB John Parker Wilson Alabama
RB Keiland Williams LSU
RB Terry Grant Alabama
ALL-SEC DEFENSE
FIRST TEAM
DL *Greg Hardy Ole Miss
DL Sen’Derrick Marks Auburn
DL Tyson Jackson LSU
LB *Brandon Spikes Florida
LB Rico McCoy Tennessee
LB Darry Beckwith LSU
LB Dannell Ellerbe Georgia
DB Eric Berry Tennessee
DB Derek Pegues Mississippi State
DB #Rashad Johnson Alabama
DB #Captain Munnerlyn South Carolina
DB #D.J. Moore Vanderbilt
SECOND-TEAM
DL Ricky Jean-Francois LSU
DL Geno Atkins Georgia
DL #Jeremy Jarmon Kentucky
DL #Peria Jerry Ole Miss
LB Jasper Brinkley South Carolina
LB Rolando McClain Alabama
LB Eric Norwood South Carolina
LB #Tray Blackmon Auburn
LB #Jamar Chaney Mississippi State
DB Emanuel Cook South Carolina
DB Asher Allen Georgia
DB Trevard Lindley Kentucky
DB Jerraud Powers Auburn
THIRD TEAM
DL Antonio Coleman Auburn
DL #Antwain Robinson Arkansas
DL #Kirston Pittman LSU
DL #Jeff Owens Georgia
LB Rennie Curran Georgia
LB Micah Johnson Kentucky
LB Braxton Kelley Kentucky
DB #Reshard Langford Vanderbilt
DB #Chad Jones LSU
DB #Major Wright Florida
DB #Joe Haden Florida
DB #Wondy Pierre-Louis Florida
SPECIAL TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
PK Colt David LSU
P Ryan Shoemaker Auburn
RS Brandon James Florida
SECOND-TEAM
PK Ryan Succop South Carolina
P Ryan Succop South Carolina
RS Javier Arenas Alabama
THIRD-TEAM
PK Leigh Tiffin Alabama
P Brian Mimbs Georgia
RS Trindon Holliday LSU
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
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Comments » 96
OrangeNugget writes:
1st, Go Vols!
Jdavol writes:
look for Gerald Jones to have an outstanding year
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Good job guys. Let's turn those pre-season honors into wins and post-season honors.
GO Vols!
VOLS85 writes:
sjt,
Dan probably should have gone to Georgia, that would have helped his chances to get on this list...HYPE HYPE HYPE...time to back it up Georgia, good luck with that schedule.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Lee Ziemba is at Auburn, not Tennessee!
Frank in Miami
VolGraduate writes:
glad to know kns gave us a player named lee ziemba. i hope he's good
VOLS85 writes:
General,
he gave us Ziemba on the offensive side as a replacement...
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
DaddyVol and Sjt18,
Do teams have to plan a defense around stopping Taylor, Roscoe, and Briscoe? There's your answer.
Volchaz writes:
Thanks for the info, Drew. You are the man.
longtimefan writes:
Jonathan Crompton not first team qb? what are you guys thinking? dont try to make up for it at the end of the year! too late then. but i want to be the first to tell you, I TOLD YOU SO! I guess you dont have to be too smart to be a coach.
Greyback_Vol writes:
Little surprised by Foster and Taylor getting these nods, although they are both deserved. Both were really overlooked last year by anyone outside TN. I look for Foster to have a huge year.
Preseason awards are what they're worth. I'd rather have some post-season awards.
auttat writes:
HAHAHAHA! John Parker Wilson!!!!
Sadly enough, he doesn't get to play TN 12 times this year
SeanJean writes:
Can someone tell me why Stafford continues to get accolades? What in the world has this dude ever done since high school?
iowavol writes:
Wow! Not sure about some of these choices. Good for our guys being mentioned, but leaving Morely off even though he is being readmitted to the the university is ludicrous. Only having two defensive players should motivate the rest of the guys for sure.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Why do UT fans get a bad rap? See sjt18 and DaddyVol....
Our guy's don't get the recognition they should..........WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
Our guys are better than their guys......WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For you to call me the NOTSOSMART one is NOTSOSMART on your part. This was a coaches poll. A coaches poll that consists of 12 of the best coaches in the country (well maybe 11). When did you two earn the credentials to decide who was better? Sjt18's hero and mentor Fulmer took part in this poll so therefore it must be a good and true poll right?
DennisVols writes:
What does it say that last years Heisman winner was not a Unanimous selection?
At the end of the year Crompton's name will be on the list. Numbers won't lie and the results will make him 1st or 2nd team.
longtimefan writes:
have a little faith General! i'll take Jon over any of those BOZOS! anyday! all day!
raynochonspeed#212632 writes:
Remember who's voting. The coaches.
They rarely have the luxury of watching as many games per weekend as we do, and they watch them with a different perspective.
This, I surmise, is the only realistic explanation for Eric Berry NOT being a unanimous selection, because anyone who saw him play from Week 4 on last year knows he is already deserved of that honor.
BigMix writes:
How can the heisman trophy winner not be the unanimous QB?
BSweet writes:
General W, I completely agree that Morley will make this list by the end of the year. I also think if our secondary plays to potential, at least one more DB will make at least 3rd team. Hopefully a WR or two will emerge this year and make the list as well. Nothing against Taylor, but I expect other receivers to have better years. If somehow the stars align, and things fall just right, I hope for break out years for Dan Williams and Ben Martin. That would leave me giddy as a little school girl. :)And I think McClendon could have a great year on the o-line and make this list by year's end as well.
b_neas writes:
How many yards did this wonderful Knowshon have against UT again last year? I still dont see why everyone is on his jock so. Or Ga's for that matter. 86-47 in the last 2 meetings. Total combined scores, you guess who had 86.
BSweet writes:
Hmmm... I am not a Tebow fan, but how is it he wasn't a unanimous decision? I started wondering maybe who it was that didn't vote for him. First thought was CPF for some reason, but after thinking it over, I kind of wonder if it was the old ball coach. Timmy doesn't exactly fit the mold of a Spurrier qb and we all know how much Stevie loves his qbs. Somehow I think Stafford would be more to Spurrier's liking.
VOLS85 writes:
What General said...
volroadwarrior writes:
Don't get worked up on pre season polls and rankings. The lower we are, the better we perform--or so it seems. The only problem with preseason polls is that many become an unfulfilled prophecy at the end of the year with everything else being equal.
BSweet writes:
Again, I agree with the General, for he is wise and all-knowing, lol. JC has not proven a thing. We all hope he will be great. I definately think he has the tools, but will it all come together? I hope so, but there's a reason for the season, and that's to let things be decided on the field of play. I think the Vols have the potential for greatness with this team, but it all has to come together. I know we have our weaknesses and that there are lots of areas that remain questionable, but I think we have personnel at all positions that could step up and be strong. The question is will they? If Fulmer and the staff coach these boys right, they will. I think this is one of those seasons where we will really see just how good our coaching staff is, or isn't. It should definately be an exciting and interesting season. I expect this board will be lit up all season long.
Bigger_Al writes:
Three Florida DB's on 3rd team. I've seen comments that they aren't very good back there, but the coaches seem to think they have some talent.
longtimefan writes:
BSweet, yes, you and the General are right, but its hard to prove anything when you cant get on the field. if your starting qb is hurt, why not let him sit for a game and let your backup play? if he cant do the job then put your starter in. Ainge played hurt anyway! at least he could have got some experience.
auttat writes:
With Training Camp getting ready to start in the NFL, any chance we get some info on former Vols and where they are and how they are faring? As much as I enjoy reading about Kenny Stabler, something else may be a little more to my liking.
I would definitely like to get some info on Meachem. Poor guy, just hope he sees a uni this year, sheesh!!
Bigger_Al writes:
I know Shon Moreno. Shon Moreno is a friend of mine. And you, sir, are no Shon Moreno.
LSUfan writes:
You will KNOW 'SHON this year, count on it! I dread playing that team even in the valley.
BSweet writes:
Geoff, ouch! I really hadn't thought of that. Let's keep Timmy away from sharp instruments. It brings a new meaning to "running with scissors".
IBleedOrange444 writes:
John Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson Phillips for Heisman! This guy is outstanding! To heck with Tebow. How was he not the consensus 1st team selection?
RJ_Vol writes:
Thanks, Drew! I can't believe we didn't have any special teamers named...No, I am just kidding. Jasper Brinkley is second team LB!? If he stays healthy, he may be first team All-American. If Morley can make the grades, he will be at least second team All-SEC IMO.
On a tangent...Has anyone heard about Chris Donald's progress? I would think he would be getting in the mix soon. Someone brought him up on another thread recently as a potentially good, upcoming LB? What's the word? Also, will Abrams-Ward get into the receiver/TE rotation as a true freshman? He seems too good to leave on the bench at 6'5"...Assuming Gerald Williams gets to play, does he go to DE or LB? As I write this, it seems Tenn has a lot of unproven talent w/ much upside.
RJ_Vol writes:
John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith Parker Woodrow Owen Wilson became a Heisman candidate last year due to our loose coverage. If someone watched tape from that game, I don't know how you'd rate our DBs. We played so far off Bama's receivers that you couldn't even see our DBs on TV! Seriously, for me seeing the Vols lose to Alabama is way worse than losing to UF. Let's get those two things corrected this year!
invisiblekid writes:
"What does it say that last years Heisman winner was not a Unanimous selection?"
It says to me not to pay any attention to this list DennisVols. I am obviously not a FL fan but whoever didn't vote Tebow should be ashamed of themselves.
Stafford and Wilson got on the list pretty much by default. Beyond those two and Tebow, QB is pretty much an unproven or underwhelming position across the SEC. Not knocking Crompton, but he has to prove himself on the field first and I think he'll get plenty of recognition at the end of the year.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
RJ-
I seem to remember a few plays where John - Jessica dropped back, had all day before the pass rush got there, then (s)he had to throw up an absolute duck of a prayer of a pass as (s)he was being leveled, and the dang ball still found a way to come down in a Bammer reciever's hands. God was on Bammer's side last year. St. Peter probably wasn't equipped to deal with all the Bammer suicides if they had lost to ULM, Auburn, and UT all in the same year.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Every UT starter should be on the preseason All Sec team right sjt18 or should I say "The Orange Kool Aid King". Whatever you do, never look at teams or players outside of Knoxville.
longtimefan writes:
IBleedORANGE, still laughing at 5:12 post! keep up the good work! keep the names comin! HA HA
oldorange writes:
We must remember this is the pre-season poll. The one that matters comes out in January.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
SLIM-
Stj is pretty objective. He is critical of the coaches and players at times, but he's also capable of giving praise where praise is due. Haters like yourself aren't capable of this objectivity which is why all y'all feel like he's drunk on the Kool Aid. If anyone on here is perpetually drunk on the Kool Aid, it would probably be me. I'm fine with this by the way. I don't plan on sobering up any time in the forseeable future... unless we fall flat on our face this year. Then I might join you, workin, and PD.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
IBleedOrange444 -
I understand where you are coming from. I am maybe a little too harsh on the team and program but some people like yourself (and the coach) are not harsh enough. I firmly believe that is why there has not been a SEC championship in 10 years. Everyone has become so complacent on losing 3 games every year and that generally is what happens. Life is too short and the time goes by too fast for me to accept this year in and year out. I simply demand more out of this program and refuse to support it until it happens. Call me a fair-weathered fan if you want. Just as I call you all idiots for believing that things are going to get better under this coach.
gohawks1 writes:
What? Tebow wasn't unanimous? Meyer should demand a recount. After all, he won the GQ ESPY award last week.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Well call me the perpetual optimist, but I still think we can get it done under Fulmer. If we can't win the SEC in the next two years, I'll be singing a different tune.
I hate the way our schedule sets up this year with virtually all of our SEC East foes getting a bye week before they play us, and I'd really like to see the UF game moved back in the schedule towards the end of the season. That game usually plays a key role in who represents the East in the SECCG so you'd think they would want to move it back to hype it up even more. You gotta play the hand you're dealt though.
I'll keep the Kool Aid cold 'till September rolls around!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
DaddyVol-
When do I get my turn "on her"?
J/K. I should know better than to joke on someone's spelling, but I just couldn't let that one pass me by.
TommyJack writes:
RJ_vol 5:21: Agree. No one could watch that game and not come away questioning the Chief. It was inexplicable.
VOLS85 writes:
Just watched the UT 2007 season DVD including the Georgia game...
I know it's only one game but Georgia only had one drive that was any good (and that touchdown was a prayer pass)...the other touchdown they scored was a terrible pass interference call on Marsalous Johnson on his interception...
Knowshon was a joke (30 yds rushing), and Stafford was extremely mediocre...so they are supposed to survive a murderous schedule and are early favorites for #1? I'm confused...
IBleedOrange444 writes:
DaddyVol-
LOL!
VOLS85-
Wish I'd just got done watching that game! That one's sure to put a smile on your face. If we could get that kind of play out of our DL every game, we'd be in real good shape. Foster looked real good in that one too if I remember correctly.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
VOLS85-
I don't have any objection to UGA being pre-season #1. Who would you put in their place? That'll just make us look that much better when we drag 'em out from between them hedges and back behind the woodshed.
VOLS85 writes:
Unfortunately I had to watch the bama game shortly thereafter...and personally I don't think the Satan onside kick had any effect on the team...We came back strong and went up 14-10. Then the lack of Briscoe, Taylor caught up with us and the db's started giving 10 yards slack on DJ Hall every play...
I'm not entirely convinced that Daniel Lincoln shouldn't be All-SEC either...he was huge last year, and as a freshman, I don't recall many that have been better...
IBleedOrange444 writes:
sjt-
The bye weeks may not be too helpful but they'll give the other coaches an extra week to game plan for the new look offense as well as for the players to heal up. Hopefully Auburn gets dinged up pretty good by LSU. I'm hoping we get a rematch with them in the SECCG. A bunch of my friends out here are from New Orleans so I want some payback sh_t talking rights. I just hope playing those bums (UAB and NIU) right before what will arguably be the best two teams we will play all year doesn't lull us to sleep.
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